Pittaluga Junior

Alessandria, Italy · Classical guitar competition

Pittaluga Junior is a classical-guitar competition in Alessandria, Italy. It is held every year, usually in September.

Location
Alessandria, Italy
Type
Competition
Most recent edition
21 September 2026
Next edition
Usually each September — dates to be announced
Frequency
Annual (September)
Eligibility / age
Youth divisions
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Repertoire requirements

ELIMINATORY ROUND From Banderklänge by J.G. Mertz: Tarantella SEMIFINAL ROUND Preludio al Atardecer by Joaquin Rodrigo (Special Prize Rodrigo) FINAL ROUND Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo Fantasia Para un Gentilhombre by Joaquin Rodrigo (Special Prize Rodrigo)

Official website

https://pittaluga.org/

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Visiting? A guitarist's guide to Alessandria

For a classical guitar enthusiast seeking a unique holiday experience, the Pittaluga Junior competition in Alessandria, Italy, offers an excellent focus. This annual event brings together talented young guitarists in a city rich with history and culture, nestled in the heart of Piedmont. Attend the competition for its youthful energy and high-level playing, and stay to explore Alessandria's significant past, its local culinary delights, and the beautiful surrounding region.

Getting there

Alessandria is a significant railway hub in Piedmont, making arrival straightforward. Frequent TrenItalia services connect the city to major Italian centers. From Milan, direct trains typically take about 1 hour and 15 minutes; from Turin, the journey is approximately 1 hour; and from Genoa, it is also around 1 hour and 10 minutes. The main Alessandria railway station (Stazione di Alessandria) is conveniently located in Piazza Eugenio Curiel, offering easy access to the city center.

Compare trains, buses & flights to Alessandria on Omio →

Italy uses Type L/F sockets, so pack a travel adapter for your tuner and chargers.

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Where to stay

For a comfortable stay during the competition, consider options that blend historical charm with modern amenities. While specific city hotels are not named, Alessandria and its immediate surroundings offer unique accommodations for a holiday. Options such as Castello di Oviglio, an impressive historic residence situated between the Monferrato and Langhe regions, provide a luxurious retreat. Palazzo Paleologi in Lu offers a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, while Ca Bianca Relais Melazzo, a cozy 19th-century farmhouse, provides a bed and breakfast experience with a restaurant and wine bar. For direct access to city life, look for accommodation in Alessandria's center, which allows for easy walking to local attractions and competition venues.

What you'll hear

The Pittaluga Junior competition showcases a new generation of classical guitar talent, with participants performing youth-appropriate repertoire. While the senior Pittaluga competition is famed for its rigor, the junior event provides a vibrant platform for emerging artists, offering audiences a chance to witness the future stars of the classical guitar world. The focus is on technical excellence and musical interpretation across a diverse range of works suitable for young musicians.

While Alessandria itself does not hold a specific, direct connection to a major classical guitar composer or a distinct musical heritage centered around the instrument, the city's cultural vibrancy provides a rich backdrop. Its historical significance, from its medieval foundation as a bulwark against Frederick Barbarossa to its role in Napoleonic history, imbues the setting with a sense of enduring Italian tradition. The competition, therefore, is a contemporary musical highlight within a historically layered environment, offering a different kind of cultural immersion for the visiting guitarist.

The local table

Piedmontese cuisine is renowned, and Alessandria offers several local specialities worth seeking out. A must-try dish is Rabatons à la lisandreina, a type of gnocchi made with spinach and cheese, emblematic of the region. Pollo alla Marengo, a chicken dish associated with Napoleon's victory nearby, also features prominently. For dessert, indulge in Amaretti, small almond cookies, or Baci di dama, delightful small cookies with chocolate and chestnuts. For a taste of local artisanal sweets, Cercenà on Piazzetta della Lega Lombarda is highly recommended for its traditional homemade ice cream, sorbetto, and granita, known for its long-standing tradition and quality.

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While you're there

Between competition events, Alessandria offers a compelling array of historical and cultural sites. Explore the Marengo Battle Museum, dedicated to Napoleon's decisive victory in 1800, and visit the Alessandria Cathedral (Duomo d'Alessandria), where a statue of the legendary peasant Gagliaudo can be found. The Citadelle Militaire and the Baroque Palazzo Ghilini, built in the 18th and 19th centuries, also provide glimpses into the city's past. For shopping, Corso Roma is the main street, where you can find the famous Borsalino hat store, a legacy of Alessandria's renowned hat manufacturing. Beyond the city, consider a day trip to Acqui Terme, a beautiful Roman town known for its hot sulphur springs and ancient baths. Alessandria's excellent train connections also make day trips to nearby major cities like Turin, Milan, and Genoa easily feasible, each offering their own extensive cultural attractions and distinct regional flavors, all within approximately an hour's train ride.

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Need a place to stay?

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This map centers on Alessandria in general, so the venue may be elsewhere in town. Check the competition's official website before booking.

More guitar events in Italy: Altamira Gorizia International Guitar Competition · Concorso Città di Fiuggi · Concorso Emilio Pujol · Concorso Fernando Sor · Concorso Internazionale Rovere d'Oro · Concorso Riviera Etrusca

Also in September: All Japan Guitar Competition · Cawsand Bay Guitar Festival · Certamen Internacional María Luisa Anido · Denver Guitar Festival - Tuason Competition · Edmonton Guitar Seminar

Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.

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